Tuesday, June 7, 2022

(Platinum) pension** planning


In the lead up to (another) 30 June, it is worth remembering that up until the early 2000s, there were a number of planning opportunities available in relation to maximising accessibility to pension payments.

Due to perceived abuses of the system, the government and Tax Office developed extremely comprehensive anti-avoidance provisions.

While some felt that the extent of the crack down was an over reaction, by and large, all of the historical strategies were permanently removed.

While there are some, comparatively minor, planning opportunities still available, none of these can be implemented within any narrow timeframes.

In other words, for example, there is the ability to gift assets to family members or structures such as trusts, however these transfers must take place many years before access to the pension is intended.

There are specialist advisers that continue to assist in the area.

Perhaps, counter intuitively, department and government advisers are however often the best starting point to get a full understanding of the rules as they apply in any particular set of circumstances.

** for the trainspotters, the title today is riffed from the Beck song ‘Broken Train’.

Listen hear (sic):